Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the US should avoid sending wrong messages that could affect relations between the two countries. Talking to reporters after inaugural ceremony of three reconstructed berths of Karachi Port Trust at East Wharf here on Friday, he said that the country's sovereignty would be protected at any cost, and 180 million Pakistanis want to defend their motherland and its sovereignty.
Gilani said that the US should take care of the feelings of 180 million Pakistanis while issuing statements, and it should avoid sending wrong messages that would affect the bilateral relations between the two countries. He said that such wrong messages would create political problems for the government of Pakistan. "It would be difficult for us to convey it to our people", he said. "The US should give us political space," he added.
The Prime Minister said: "Pakistan wants good relations with the US, but these should be based on mutual respect and mutual interests". Pakistan and the US enjoy very good relations. However any wrong message from the US could affect these relations between the two countries, he said, adding: "If the US can't live with us, it can't live without us," he said.
He said that such messages would create political problems for Pakistan Government to promote relations between the two countries. The PM said that he had to visit the US to address the General Assembly. "But I had cancelled my visit only because of monitoring the relief and rehabilitation operations in the flood affected areas", he said, adding that he sent Hina Rabbani Khar to represent him at the General Assembly.
He reiterated that the US is a very important country for Pakistan. "We want strong and very good relations with the US, but these relations should be based on mutual respect and interest", he said. Gilani said that Pakistan also has very good relations with all regional countries. "We want to strengthen our economy and want more trade with all friendly countries", he said. "We have made it clear many times that we don't want aid, but trade", he added.
The PM said that a peaceful, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan is in favour of Pakistan. "We are part of solution of Afghanistan issue, and we believe and favour Afghan-led solution of this issue", he said. Pakistan has very good relations with Afghanistan and it is not a part of problems there, he said.
About law and order situation in Karachi, the PM said that only political government can bring stability, peace and prosperity on permanent basis. He said it was the prime duty of the government to provide peace and security to life and property of the people throughout the country and the government is fully aware about its responsibilities. He said the military action has only temporary results. He said that Rangers and Police were acting against criminals in the city across the board. The prime minister said that Muttahida Qaumi Movement was a part of government. "The resignations of MQM have not been accepted so far, and they are part of us", he added.